Help with Vipassana Mediation

[pinkpadma]

Ive tried it out once before and was very satisfied with the sensations and feelings it gave me but now its just ineffective...am i doing it wrong ?

[daverupa]

You haven't actually said what you do...

[lojong1]

Ive tried it out once before and was very satisfied with the sensations and feelings it gave me but now its just ineffective...am i doing it wrong ?

As long as you see clearly that you are not satisfied, then seeing clearly is probably still quite effective.

[James the Giant]

Ive tried it out once before and was very satisfied with the sensations and feelings it gave me but now its just ineffective...am i doing it wrong ?

Yes, you are doing it wrong.
The words "very satisfied with the sensations and feelings it gave me" give a strong indication that you've got the wrong approach.

[pinkpadma]

Ive tried it out once before and was very satisfied with the sensations and feelings it gave me but now its just ineffective...am i doing it wrong ?

As long as you see clearly that you are not satisfied, then seeing clearly is probably still quite effective.

ok, thats a good thing. im very good at mental noting...but i dont feel like its leading me anywhere....impermanence seems like something outside of myself that i only understand intellectually instead of intuitively. any advice ?

when i get into posture and begin noting the rising and falling of the abdomen i am overwhelmed by sensations of my head being cramped and tight. Are the mental formations causing blockage in my etheric system ? ( i dont necessarily believe in the etheric system but thats seems like the only explanation, sorry if i deviated from traditional Buddhist views)

[lojong1]

Without knowing whose instruction you are following and where you want to be led, help is tough. You haven't done a retreat of any kind...
I wonder what would happen if you just simply sat wakefully following no instruction for 1 day, with minimal movement.
I think this would leave you with a better idea of where your current habits are already leading you and what you might like to change.

[pinkpadma]

I just feel like no one has ever experienced or addressed my form of dukkha. i think my problem lies somewhere within dependent origination but im not sure. i wont stop striving.

[daverupa]

I wonder if the tension in the head is muscle tension related to focusing on the abdomen and the breath exclusively, else it may be due to the tongue being tensed somewhere in the mouth, pressing to the hard or soft palate with excessive force for example. Try experiencing the whole body whilst breathing, including the tongue and the abdomen...

[tiltbillings]

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